As an elder in my community, I come to my work with many years of experience and a wide variety of training and education. I have a MA in Music Education accompanied by several years of teaching in the public schools. I left teaching to become a Sign Language Interpreter in 1980, something I did for over 40 years. During that time, I provided interpreting services in hospitals, court, business and education. In 1990 I set up my own business providing interpreting services and advocating for language access. For the last 10 years, I was an active volunteer in teaching, fostering and monitoring ethical practices of interpreters.
Working in the community, facilitating communication with people who don’t share the same language has allowed me to see and experience first hand the trauma that is inherent in our world. No one escapes it completely.
When I retired in 2021, I started learning about trauma and have now graduated from a three year program through Somatic Experiencing International as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). It is the most influential, impactful training I have ever done.
Along the way, I worked as a restorative justice trainer and facilitator, recently learning from Dominic Barter, one of the most committed and compassionate trainers I have met. In conjunction with that work, I have deepened my understanding of non-violent communication through series of courses with Oren Jay Sofer, author of “Say What You Mean”.
In 2024, I decided to train to become an End of Life Doula with The Dying Year project and am now certified with National EOL Doula Alliance (NEDA). I felt strongly that as an elder, it was time to take a good hard look at what it means to be in the last phase of my life and how might I work with others who are also approaching this transition. Regardless of age, we all will die. Can we do it consciously, mindfully, peacefully, with support. The training was the perfect pairing of all my interests. The combination with Somatic Experiencing has made it possible to be more present with people at the end of life. We walk toward it together.
Over 35 years ago, I was drawn to working with a community of people dedicated to learning more about our purpose on this planet while developing attention and capacity in the present. That work combines meditation, movement, practical work and bringing attention to my life while in life. I am grateful for all that has brought.
Each of these interests and trainings combine to inform my work as a Somatic Experiencing practitioner and as a Doula. I am intent on helping myself and others prepare for death. Dying is as natural as being born if we approach it with an open heart. That doesn’t mean it is easy, just possible to suffer a little less than we imagine.